STYLE: Butterfly.STRENGTHS: Incredibly competitive, even cocky. Plays angles very well, stays at the top of his crease. Gives up very few rebounds. Very patient, maintains good concentration, able to block out distractions. Incredible glove hand. WEAKNESSES: Relatively poor on shots along the right post. Goes down very soon; sometimes can be beaten high. Most vulnerable on five-hole shots. Average puckhandling and skating, and will sometimes get caught out of his net.

(Click on each section header to open (or to close) items in that section)

QUOTES:

"I have the love to win. I hate to lose. Maybe it's more the hate to lose than the love to win. (Fischler, Resch "Hot Goalies", 1997, p. 11)

"Playoffs is not a matter of money. It's a matter of pride. I'm a person with a lot of pride. I love to do well. We play for money during the season but during the playoffs, we don't make a quarter of what me make during the season. Winning the Stanley Cup is something you never forget in your life. It is something you go to the Hall of Fame one day with your little boy and say 'Hey, look, this is what happened in my career.' It's more a matter of pride than being a money guy. (Fischler, Resch "Hot Goalies", 1997, p. 12)

"We won the first two games of the finals in Denver, and then we went on to Florida [where the fans took to throwing plastic rats onto the ice after the Panthers scored]. Before the third game, I said to myself, If they score, I won't hide in my net to protect myself. If I give up a goal, I'll face the rats. I was lucky; I only got a couple hundred rats on me. As a player, it gave you a challenge: Let's make sure there aren't any rats. (Sports Illustrated, May 26, 1997)

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

"Dominik Hasek of the Sabres and John Vanbiesbrouck of the Panthers outplayed him during the regular season and Mike Richter of the Rangers was outstanding in the playoffs. But put all the general managers together and ask them to pick the best goalie in the conference, and they'll choose Roy." (The Sporting News 1994-95 Hockey Yearbook, p. 41)

"The Canadiens were 35-17-11 with Roy in the nets last year and 6-12-3 without him. But what makes that statistic all the more remarkable is that the other four goalies used by the Habs played only against weak teams. Roy, facing much higher-caliber opponents, still won twice as many games than he lost and posted an impressive 2.50 goals-against average. (The Sporting News 1994-95 Hockey Yearbook, p. 52)

"Roy is the Canadiens' only superstar, and his grit was seldom more evident than during the playoffs, when he played in six of the seven games against the Bruins despite having an appendix problem that required surgery after the Canadiens were eliminated. The appendix was removed, and now he's fine. (The Sporting News 1994-95 Hockey Yearbook, p. 52)

"Raise the stakes and nobody's better. Witness his three appearances on the Cup. (ESPN Hockey 96, p. 91)

"Last season, after they asked the Colorado Avalanche for sticks from Patrick Roy and Peter Forsberg to use at a charity auction, the Mighty Ducks thought they had gleaned some inside information that might help them win a game. When the Ducks got Roy's stick, they noticed it had an illegal curve. Using that knowledge the next time they played the Avalanche, they contested Roy's stick late in the game, figuring they could get a power play when the referee measured the stick and found it to be illegal. But, lo and behold, the stick was legal. It turns out all of Roy's sticks are illegal when they come from the manufacturer, but he reshapes them to make them legal. (The Sporting News Hockey Yearbook 1996-97, p. 16)

"If Patrick Roy isn't the best goaltender in the world, he's right there - and he's been right there for more than a decade. Patrick is a proud man, and when Montreal traded him in December, he took it personally. I've never seen him so at ease and confident. And when Patrick Roy plays with that kind of confidence, he's almost unbeatable. - Florida Panthers center Brian Skrudland (The Sporting News Hockey Yearbook 1996-97, p. 23)

""Getting out of Montreal was the best thing in the world for him," former Canadiens player and current assistant coach Steve Shutt says. "He doesn't have to be God anymore. All he has to do is be the best goalie he can be, and that means the best in the game today."" (The Sporting News Hockey Yearbook 1996-97, p. 25)

"Patrick Roy had the best statistical season of his career, but without the Cup, he couldn't care less. Entering his 13th full season, Roy hasn't lost much. His 38 wins led the league and he posted a goals-against average of 2.32 and 92.3 save percentage. As always, Roy played well in the playoffs, but was let down by his team's play in front of him. Roy, who will turn 32 Oct. 5, likes to play a lot, but the Avs may want to give him a few more games off this year to stay fresh. (The Hockey News 1997-98 Yearbook, p. 99)

"It's difficult to compare players in different eras, but Roy is certainly a major contender to be called the top post-season goaltender of all time. (The Hockey News 1997-98 Yearbook, p. 10)

"The ultimate pressure goaltender can carry the whole team on his shoulders if key players take a night off. (The Sports Forecaster Hockey '97-'98, p. 203)

"Patrick's among the best at waiting you out, then reacting. That patience, plus his size, makes for a pretty formidable challenge. A lot of goalies over-commit. Not him. He's so technical. If you've got a chance against Patrick, you'd better make up your mind and stay hard with whatever decision you come to. If you doubt, you play right into his hands and you are dead. (Joe Nieuwendyk, ESPN Sportszone, April 1998)

"When he's on, he is about as good as it gets. (Detroit head coach Scotty Bowman, Toronto Sun, 5/23/99)

"Roy's talent is matched only in size by his ego. He's simply one of the best goaltenders to ever have strapped on the pads. His intestinal fortitude and cavern-size confidence serve him well in pressure situations. He's still the standard by which all butterfly goalies are measured. Roy will continue on his path to the Hall of Fame. Whether he's the best goaltender ever is a moot point...because he thinks he is. (The Sports Forecaster 1999-2000, p. 179)

"I think his mental skills make him a great goalie. He obviously has good physical skills, but I think it is what he has upstairs that makes him different. (Washington goaltender Craig Billington, Colorado Avalanche 1999-2000 media guide)

"He's one of the greatest goalies in the game's history. When the big games are there, Patrick brings his game to another level. He's exceptional under pressure. (Colorado coach Bob Hartley, Colorado Avalanche 1999-2000 media guide)

"Roy is just three victories shy of becoming the winningest goaltender in NHL history. Once he reaches that milestone, he will have little left to accomplish in his stellar career. Still the model by which all butterfly goaltenders are measured, he was outplayed in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Now that the Avalanche have dealt understudy Marc Denis, the teams needs Roy to rediscover the fountain of youth. If not, the Avs may have traded the wrong guy." (The Sports Forecaster 2000-01, p. 172)

"The biggest of the big-game goaltenders, Roy rebounded from a mediocre start to the 2000-01 playoffs to stymie the New Jersey Devils in the cup finals and capture the Conn Smythe Trophy for the third time. He's the original butterfly goaltender [Doug's Note: Glenn Hall was the "original butterfly goaltender"], with a legion of young Quebec products now trying to duplicate his style. Roy has good size, covers a great deal of net and has confidence that shines through when it matters most. His most glaring weakness is a tendency to handle the puck too much - and poorly. With the most goaltending wins in NHL history and four Stanley Cups, Roy has already reached the pinnacle of his career. Roy will continue to rewrite the record books while serving as a tutor for David Aebischer." (The Sports Forecaster 2001-02, p. 178)

"Now in his late 30s, Roy continues to rack up huge goaltending numbers. The 2001-02 NHL First All-Star Team goaltender led the league in both goals-against average and shutouts, and finished second to Vezina winner Jose Theodore in save percentage. However, his season ended ugly, giving Detroit a gift goal in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. That blunder led to a 7-0 whitewash in Game 7. Roy has plenty of motivation entering 2002-03. The memory of his last two postseason games, losing to Theodore in both Vezina and Hart voting and the retirement of Dominik Hasek from Detroit. Everything points to another huge year for Roy." (The Sports Forecaster 2002-03, p. 172)

Rated #1 in Hockey Stars Presents "The Top 50 Netminders in Pro Hockey", November 1994.

Played for Team Quebec in NHLPA 4-on-4 challenge, November 10-12, 1994.

Rated #3 in Hockey Stars Presents "The Top 50 Netminders in Pro Hockey", November 1995.

Finished eighth in voting for National Hockey League All-Star team, 1995-96.

Member of Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche, 1996.

Finished ninth in voting for Vezina Trophy, 1995-96.

Played in National Hockey League All-Star Game, 1997.

Finished third in voting for National Hockey League All-Star team, 1996-97.

Voted Denver's Top Athlete in a Denver Post reader poll, 1997.

Finished eighth in voting for Hart Memorial Trophy, 1996-97.

Finished third in voting for Vezina Trophy, 1996-97.

In The Hockey News 1997-98 Yearbook, was the only goaltender named "a franchise player".

Named National Hockey League Player of the Week, October 6, 1997.

Played in National Hockey League All-Star Game, January 18, 1998.

Goaltender for Canadian Olympic Team, February 1998.

Named National Hockey League Player of the Month, January, 1999.

Named National Hockey League Player of the Week, March 21, 1999.

Named National Hockey League Player of the Week (3-0-2, 1.35 GAA, 93.5% sv), October 16, 2000.

Denver mayor Wellington Webb announced that Auraria Parkway, between Interstate 25 and Speer Boulevard (a road running near the Pepsi Center), would be renamed "Patrick Roy Boulevard" for the remainder of the 2000-01 NHL season, October 20, 2000.

City of Denver proclaimed "Patrick Roy Day", October 20, 2000.

Played in National Hockey League All-Star Game, 2001.

Winner, Conn Smythe Trophy, June 9, 2001.

Member of Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche, 2001.

Named National Hockey League Player of the Week, November 19, 2001.

Winner, William M. Jennings Trophy, 2001-02.

Finalist, Lester B. Pearson Award, 2001-02.

Finalist, Hart Memorial Trophy, 2001-02.

Finalist, Vezina Trophy, 2001-02.

Named National Hockey League Player of the Week, January 27, 2003.

Named National Hockey League Player of the Week, February 10, 2003.

Sweater number "33" retired by Colorado Avalanche, October 28, 2003.

Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame, November 13, 2006.

FIRSTS:

First National Hockey League Game: vs. Winnipeg Jets, February 23, 1985.

First National Hockey League Win: vs. Winnipeg Jets, February 23, 1985.

The Pittsburgh Penguins' Mike Bullard scored the first National Hockey League goal against Roy on October 10, 1985. Roy's Canadiens won the game, 5-3, with (in order) Bullard, Mario Lemieux and Terry Ruskowski scoring on Roy.

First National Hockey League Shutout: vs. Winnipeg Jets, January 15, 1986.

Earned 448th National Hockey League victory (4-3 OT win at Washington), breaking record held by Terry Sawchuk, October 17, 2000.

On December 26, 2001, Patrick earned his 500th National Hockey League regular-season victory with a 31-save shutout of the Dallas Stars, 2-0, in Dallas. Patrick became the first NHLer to reach this milestone, and recorded his 59th career shutout in the process.

On January 20, 2003, Patrick played in his 1000th regular-season National Hockey League game, as the Colorado Avalanche faced the Dallas Stars at Pepsi Center. Roy made twenty-nine saves in the 1-1 tie.Roy Patrick

RECORDS:

Became National Hockey League's all-time playoff win leader with his 89th win vs. 7-0 victory over Chicago, April 24, 1997.

Became youngest goaltender to record 400 victories (33 years), February 5, 1999.

Recorded 15th career National Hockey League postseason shutout (2-0 victory over Dallas), tying Hall-of-Famer Clint Benedict, May 19, 2000.

On November 14, 2001, Roy and the Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 1-0 at the Pepsi Center for his 200th victory with the Colorado franchise. In the process, Roy became the first goaltender to win 200 games with two separate franchises (including 289 wins with Montreal).

On June 7, 2001, Patrick blanked the New Jersey Devils (4-0 win, 24 saves) in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals, becoming the thirteenth goaltender in National Hockey League history to record four shutouts in one postseason. Roy's Avalanche would win the Cup, overcoming a 3-2 deficit to take the series in seven games.

Left game with injury, April 26, 1993. 1:46 into the second period of Montreal's playoff game against Quebec, Roy was replaced by Andre Racicot for the remainder of the second period. Roy returned for the third period and overtime, a 5-4 Montreal win.

Sprained thumb; missed two games, January 23, 1997.

Injured shoulder; missed two games, March 26, 1997.

Partially dislocated shoulder; missed two games, November 17, 1997.

Injured left knee; missed four games, December 26, 1998.

Suffered back spasms; missed four games, January 4, 1999.

Injured groin; missed two games, February 21, 1999.

Injured neck; missed one game, February 15, 2000.

Injured groin; missed two games, February 18, 2000.

Suffered tendinitis in knee; missed one game, March 20, 2001.

NHL PENALTY SHOTS:

DATE

SHOOTER

GOAL?

NOTES

01/01/1986

Dan Daoust

N

01/10/1987

Michel Goulet

Y

03/18/1989

Jock Callender

Y

10/17/1990

Pierre Turgeon

Y

10/10/1991

Kevin Miller

Y

03/05/1996

Ville Peltonen

N

03/28/1996

Jamie Baker

N

10/22/1996

Theoren Fleury

Y

03/07/1998

Tom Chorske

Y

11/30/1999

Andrew Cassels

N

03/30/2002

Krys Kolanos

Y

DID YOU KNOW?

Roy will not skate over the blue/red lines on the ice, writes the names of his children on his stick before every game, keeps the pucks from his current season's shutouts in his locker, and tapes the knob of his stick with exactly sixty revolutions (one for each minute in a regulation game).

Growing up, Patrick was a Quebec Nordique fan.

When he was a child, his hockey hero (Daniel Bouchard) gave him a stick and he slept with it every night.

In 1986, Patrick became the youngest starting goaltender to win the Stanley Cup.

In the first round of the 1994 playoffs, Roy came down with appendicitis and missed the third game of the series vs. Boston. Roy convinced doctors to let him return for Game Four and led the Canadiens to a 5-2 victory, stopping 39 shots.

On January 17, 1996, Patrick was the goaltender who allowed Steve Yzerman's 500th career National Hockey League goal.

Roy is a huge card collector, with an estimated 85,000 cards. Included in the collection are cards dating to 1911. In February of 1997, Roy outbid teammate Joe Sakic for a signed Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey, winning the auction with a $15,000 bid. The money went to a good cause - the Nuggets and Avalanche Community Funds.

On March 14, 1997, Patrick was the goaltender who allowed Joe Mullen's 500th career National Hockey League goal.

On April 24, 1997, Patrick earned his 89th career National Hockey League playoff victory, when Colorado defeated visiting Chicago, 7-0. The win broke the NHL record for playoff victories (held by Billy Smith, and was Roy's tenth NHL postseason shutout.

On March 23, 2002, Patrick was the goaltender who allowed Brendan Shanahan's 500th career National Hockey League goal.

On May 25, 2002, Patrick passed Mark Messier as the all-time leader in National Hockey League postseason with his 237th game. In the same game, Patrick tied the NBA's Kareem-Abdul Jabaar for the greatest number of postseason games played in a "major" North American professional sport.

Game logs have been compiled using the best information that I can find; for a detailed list of known concerns, please click here. I am always looking for assistance in making these more accurate, and welcome your help. For the 1983-84 season and prior, one of my key sources was the Hockey Summary Project, a tremendous resource and one of the best data collections on the Internet. In return, I have attempted to make these data better where possible.